The former Derby County manager, Jim Smith, has died at the age of 79.
Smith guided Derby to the Premier League in 1995/96, his first season at the club.
In total, he managed the club in 197 Premier League matches across five seasons, in which the Rams finished ninth, eighth, 16th and 17th before he left in October 2001.
He won one Premier League Manager of the Month award, in November 1996.
It is with deep regret that Derby County Football Club has this evening learnt of the passing of its former manager, Jim Smith.
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) December 10, 2019
The thoughts of everyone associated with Derby County go out to Jim’s family at this difficult time. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/BMXr9hF38x
He returned to the Premier League as an assistant manager at Portsmouth in 2003.
Smith took charge of more than 1,000 matches, starting his managerial career at Boston United, before going to Colchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Oxford United (three times), Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United.
Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the League Managers Association, paid tribute to Smith.
"He was an inspiration to so many people throughout his career and a highly valued member of the LMA Hall of Fame - 1,000 Club in recognition of his contribution, achievement and legacy to the game,” Bevan said in an LMA statement.
The thoughts of everyone at the Premier League go out to his family and friends.
